ARTICLE
The local issues of public finance are likely to have a greater impact on the long-term welfare of the residents of Santa Cruz than the results of national, state, and even local elecions. With this in mind, the Chamber’s Community Affairs Committee and Board of Directors have reviewed this fall’s many state and local ballot measures. We recommend affirmative votes on the three local school funding measures, A, B, and C, on the transportation measure, D, and on State Proposition 52. We also encourage yes votes on local technical measures E, G, H, and I. Santa Cruz City Schools measures A and B would address long-deferred maintenance needs and upgrade existing facilities and educational infrastructure. Measure A proposes general obligation bonds not to exceed $140 million to be paid by taxes on real property within the districts. It will fund improvement to the middle and high schools in the district and will be paid for by taxable properties in that district. Funds will be use to rehabilitate aging facilities and upgrade teaching infrastructure and equipment. The annual tax to is estimated at $29.50 per $100,000 of assessed valuation on real estate within the middle/high schools district. Assessed valuation is generally the purchase price of the property plus 1% of the prior year’s valuation. Measure B proposes a similar uses of funds, not to exceed $68 million, in the City's Elementary School District. The annual tax to fund the measure is also $29.50 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. The Chamber supports these measures as fundamental to attracting and retaining the work force necessary to succeed in our region. It is also critically important in the preparation of local children to thrive in a rapidly changing employment environment. Some of the schools' maintenance needs are relatively sensational – leaking roofs, and heating systems that went out of date more than a generation ago. But there are also critical learning infrastructure and equipment needs that are fundamental to the construction of a contemporary educational environment. Measure C addresses the Soquel Elementary School District’s very similar needs. Leaking roofs, deteriorating plumbing, and inadequate electrical system are headlines, but the remodeling of classrooms and the provision of computers and other education technology are fundamental to a quality education. The tax rate for this $42 million measure is estimated at $30 per $100,000 of assessed value. Measure D, The transportation sales tax initiative is an artfully negotiated compromise to fund long-awaited transportation improvements. This ½ cent tax on every dollar of taxable sales will be offset in part by the expiration of the state’s temporary ¼ cent tax; resulting in a net increase of 25 cents on every $100 of taxable purchases over the next 30 years. The largest portion of resulting funds (30%) will be divided among the County and its four cities to address streets and road maintenance, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and other safety needs. Highways, Highway 1 especially, will receive 25% of the funds to be used for traffic mitigation and safety improvements, including the completion of auxiliary lanes from Soquel Ave to Park Avenue. Para-transit systems operated by Metro and Lift Line will receive 20% of the revenues. The remaining balance will be allocated to individual projects (e.g, Highway 9 improvements, development of trails along the railroad right of way, maintenance and planning for rail line use, etc.) Proposition 52 will permanently impose a fee on private hospitals to provide the revenues necessary to obtain the matching federal funds that pay for Medi-Cal services. California hospitals have willingly taxed themselves to provide these funds for the past nine years. Proposition 52 eliminates the need for the legislature to vote annually to retain this tax and insures that these funds will continue to be dedicated to this purpose. Technical Amendments proposed by Santa Cruz County and the City of Santa Cruz address language changes necessary to clarify local governance. - Measure E insures continued applicability of existing County Cannabis Regulations by adjusting the definitions of cannabis and its related businesses to be consistent with recent state legislation and possible changes resulting from state ballot initiatives. - Measure I similarly adapts City of Santa Cruz ordinances to these state-level changes. - Measure G ensures that newly-elected City Council members are permitted to vote for mayor. The City Charter currently provides that the mayor be elected at the second regularly scheduled evening meeting after the general elecion. However, new state rules extend the period for the County Elections Official to certify the election of council members for up to 30 days following the election. A yes vote would allow the City Charter to be more in-line with these new state regulations. - Measure H clarifies the City’s right to pledge revenues from water fees to guaranty funding for necessary for water infrastructure improvements. While the City has done so in the past, counsel has recommended this clarifying language. The Chamber encourages you to vote in favor of these measures and Proposition 52.